Konarka creates transparent solar cells for windows

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Solar panels may be one of the solutions to our growing energy needs, but they can be a hassle to have installed requiring space on a rooftop or area of land that can’t then be used for anything else. One company aims to make installing and using solar panels easier in any building, however, by integrating them directly into panes of glass.

That company is called Konarka and they have developed solar cells made of flexible plastic that are transparent. Because they are clear it is possible to mount them inside glass opening the way for buildings to start taking advantage of solar power without the hassle of installation as they automatically get installed with the windows.

This isn’t technology we have to wait to see in a few years time as Konarka has already signed an agreement with Arch Aluminium to start using its Power Plastic solar solution. Together the two companies will produce glass products that can deliver energy generation in commercial building projects. Arch Aluminium specializes in producing glass products for commercial buildings in a range fo designs making them an ideal partner for Konarka.

One issue Konarka does face though, is the efficiency and life of these solar cells which is typically much shorter and creates less energy than the more common solar cell technology in use today.

Matthew’s Opinion
The cells are transparent, but there is still a clearly visible line running through them as seen in the picture above. They can be tinted red, green, or blue as well making them more viable for taller building projects where those inside the structure need some protection from sunlight.

If Konarka can increase the efficiency and lifespan of the cells then this would be a great addition to buildings that use a lot of glass and in locations that receive a lot of sun. Skyscrapers with their thousands of large windows would obviously benefit from day-long energy generation from glass that needs to be there anyway and the surface area is much greater than that of the roof.

We talk about solar energy as one of the most promising areas of green energy generation, but it still requires a lot of planning and investment to achieve. Hopefully some day it will come as standard on the things we buy. For example, solar cells in our clothing charging our gadgets, our houses having solar cells built into the glass and roof tiles, and our cars covered in paint that can also convert energy from the sun to power the electronics.